Protea Glen family celebrates Lesedi Lekwapa’s Umhlonyane ceremony

Family members, friends, and community members recently gathered in Protea Glen to celebrate the Umhlonyane ceremony for 17-year-old Lesedi Lekwapa.

Umhlonyane is a traditional ceremony held to mark a girl’s transition into her teenage years and young womanhood.

It celebrates growth, cultural identity, purity, and the transition to adulthood, while also teaching values, responsibilities, and respect within the community.

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The celebration was organised under the guidance of the Sinqobile Cultural Group.

Speaking to Urban News, the father of Lesedi, David Lekwapa, said the journey and celebration of Umhlonyane has helped her child to behave better, deal with modern life challenges, make good decisions, and stay confident without changing herself to fit in.

“We are proud of our daughter for remaining a virgin, especially at a time when many young people her age already have children. We are also proud that this was her own choice and that we never forced her into it,” said David.

He said the ceremony has shown how proud they are of their daughter for staying true to herself and respecting her body.

He further stated that they want to instil and preserve their cultural identity in their daughter, Lesedi, while guiding her to stay grounded in her values and traditions.

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David has emphasised how Umhlonyane helps young girls feel more confident and carry themselves with pride.

He said, “Umhlonyane helps young people stand firm in their values, encourages young men to treat women with dignity, and inspires young girls to value their self-worth. Families should not forget the foundation of our culture and should support children who want to join Amatshitshi, as these children are our pride.”